By Wisley Lau

Thought-provoking videos:

Warning: both videos contain rude language and/or adult content that might not be suitable for your age.

New Rule: Cancel Culture Is Over, Party by Bill Maher (https://youtu.be/gmXTUSP9a9M)

1. Reading the news today, the word “cancel culture” appears often. From politicians who cast themselves as victims of “cancel culture” by the “woke mob,” or the consequence of entertainer exposés of their inappropriate behaviours in the past. 

   For Bill Maher, a politically incorrect liberal, he blasts the left and the right for their views on cancel culture. In this recent clip, he gives the best one yet; examples of cancel culture for various people, from everyday citizens, to celebrities, and television hosts. In the age of the internet, as everyone seems to be walking on eggshells, this is an important issue to talk about.

   After mentioning Chris Harrison’s story of cancel culture – the former host of the Bachelor – which arose from defending a contestant who had participated in a plantation-themed fraternity party. Maher comments, “mature people know humans are continually evolving, as opposed to wokeville where they’re always shocked we didn’t emerge enlightened from the primordial ooze.” And finally, before his segment ends, he jokes, “memo to social justice warriors, when what you’re doing sounds like an Onion article headline, stop.”

2. Plastics by John Oliver (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fiu9GSOmt8E1)

Plastic is all around us, from our water bottles, mobile devices, clocks, and even the computer you may be using to read this article. But as you may well know, plastic does not degrade easily and can significantly impact the environment. In this video, the host John Oliver, not only delivers information on how plastic pollutes the ocean, but he also dives into the confusing world of recycling. As it turns out, many types of plastic put into the recycling process are not eligible for it at all. 

Additionally, Oliver also discusses how the US treats its plastic waste by shipping it to Asian countries and criticizes the beverage industry mainly responsible for the plastic pandemic on how they deflect blame to consumers or break promises on their recycling policies. 

In the end, Oliver gives us tips on how to tackle the plastic problem with a very special friend. This video is a must-watch for all environment lovers and people who are concerned about plastic pollution.

Thought-provoking books:

1. Can Globalization Succeed? By Dena Freeman

Due to the pandemic and the recent giant traffic jam in the Suez Canal, globalization and its limitations have been spotlighted once again. 

This book questions the history of globalization, the threats that pose an end to it, and three ways of post-modern globalism — each with drastic actions and consequences. 

With interactive text types to help guide the reader through the book, this primer for the 21st century is sure to enlighten you and make you learn a few things along the way.

1. Cosmic Queries by Neil DeGrasse Tyson and James Trefil

What is our place in the universe? What is life? Are we alone in the universe? Many people have pondered these profound questions. This book from astrophysicist Neil DeGrasse Tyson and physicist James Trefil uses science and logic to help us understand and begin to answer these mysterious questions. 

Even though there might not be resolutions to some of these questions, exploring them is fun and entertaining.